Just like the Strimer series we have taken a look at in the past, the XPG Prime is meant to be a visual addition to your system and serves no other tangible purpose. Thus, at its core, it does just that: you get more ARGB elements inside your system. However, the XPG Prime uses a fundamentally different approach in achieving it, which presents both benefits and weaknesses inherent to the design. As it employs ultra-dense optical sleeving, as it is called by XPG, diffusing tubes are placed over the top row of cables. This means you only have those two layers of wires, whereas the Strimer series adds a third layer on top of your cables. The result is a more compact overall system, but it also adds overall stiffness and lack of ability to be adjusted freely.

With the LEDs placed on one end and set to emit down the ultra-dense optical fiber tubing, it results in diminished luminosity the further away you get from these LEDs at the base. That is simply science, and there is nothing that can be done about it, but the fact that tubing is used doesn't help as you have a solid object (the 16AWG wire) in the center instead of a solid tube. Overall, the embedded LEDs are actually quite strong and reach the end connected to your components, but the fade is still more noticeable than in other similar implementations.

XPG does include a functional controller with a crazy number of speed-adjustment abilities, which is great as you can really fine-tune your favorite setting. On top of that, besides the solid color choices, are a slew of cool animations to go through. Also, thanks to the universal 3-pin header, you should easily be able to daisy chain the cables together and add even more ARGB elements to the system.

Overall, it comes down to price. While the XPG Prime takes a bold and different approach—thus innovating in a way none of the other variants do—it doesn't tend to offer the same level of lighting consistency as other competing products, and clocks in at a slightly higher price. This makes it difficult to recommend over other options out there unless you really dig the vastly cleaner looks with no visible clips and clamps along the entire length of the optical sleeve.